Scott's Cheap Flights is best for travelers looking for affordable flight deals and who are comfortable booking accommodations and other travel arrangements separately. Intrepid Travel is better suited for travelers who prefer organized small group tours with included accommodation, transport, and a focus on sustainable travel.
| Attribute | Scott's Cheap Flights | Intrepid Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | Free limited membership, Premium membership for $49 per year, Elite membership for $199 per year. Users can save an average of $550 on international economy seats and $2,000 on international first-class flights. | Varies depending on the trip type, destination, and duration. For example, a 7-day Original Inca Trail Express tour starts from USD $1,377, while an 11-day Comfort Best of Antarctica tour starts from USD $7,863. Discounts of up to 20% are available on certain trips. |
| Destination Coverage | Provides flight deals to over 900 destinations around the world. Primarily focuses on deals from U.S. airports, with plans to expand. | Operates in over 100 countries across all 7 continents. Offers more than 900 itineraries worldwide. |
| Trip Types Offered | Focuses on individual flight deals. | Small group tours, Basix (budget-friendly), Original (classic tours), Comfort (more comfortable accommodation), Premium (best accommodation options), Themed adventures (18-to-29s trips, cycling, family, food tours, polar travel, and more). |
| Customer Support Availability | Has a customer support team. Some users have reported difficulty contacting customer service. | Adventure consultants are available via phone or live chat to assist with bookings and inquiries. |
| Cancellation and Refund Policies | Membership purchases are generally non-refundable. Within 30 days of purchase, you can pause your membership, request a refund exemption, or cancel the next renewal. Airlines must offer refunds/rebooking for canceled/delayed flights to/from/within the U.S. Many airlines offer a 24-hour cancellation policy. | Flexible booking options allow changes to travel plans up to 56 days before departure without fees. Cancellation 56 days or more prior to departure results in the deposit amount being held as a credit for future travel. Cancellations made between 31 and 55 days before departure incur a 30% cancellation fee. |
| Accommodation Options | Does not directly offer accommodation options. | Ranging from camping and homestays to hotels and lodges. Aims to use locally owned and operated accommodations. Premium tours include unique "Feature Stays". |
| Inclusions | Deals include information on airlines, baggage costs, and normal costs. | Accommodation, transport, some meals, and a local tour leader are generally included. Inclusions vary depending on the tour type. |
| Group Size | Not applicable. | Average of 10-12 people. Maximum group size is usually around 16, but some tours may have larger groups. |
| Sustainability Practices | Information not found. | Carbon neutral since 2010 and committed to reducing carbon emissions. Supports local communities and promotes responsible travel. Committed to ethical animal tourism. Actively works with communities and local partners to support the development of new experiences in destinations. |
| User Interface and Booking Experience | User-friendly website. Users are directed to book through Google Flights, Skyscanner, or similar platforms. | Offers flexible payment options, including paying the remaining balance in installments. Customers can save spots for 5 days without paying a deposit. |
| Payment Options | Accepts credit/debit cards. | Flexible payment options are available, including paying in installments. No surcharges apply when paying with a credit card, but there may be restrictions on which card can be used. |
| Insurance Options | Does not directly offer insurance options, but travel insurance or a credit card with travel protections can help with flight cancellations due to weather. | Travel insurance is compulsory for international trips. |